58 Jonathan Papelbon, RP

Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon entered Friday's contest against the Reds in the ninth inning with a two-run lead.

He worked his way around a walk and needed just 17 pitches to secure a 5-3 win. He has converted all eight of his save opportunities and improved his ERA to 1.02 after Friday's performance. Papelbon has not allowed a run since his first outing of the season on April 2.

Jonathan Papelbon has started off this season a perfect 7 for 7 in save opportunities, and he sports a 1.08 ERA and an 0.60 WHIP. So why does he rank outside the top 20 relief-eligible pitchers in points leagues?

Papelbon has just 12 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings, and with his velocity down roughly 1 mph since last season, there is cause for concern over the Phillies' closer. Papelbon has been aided by a .186 batting average on balls in play (BABIP), and with a 31 percent ground ball rate, he is fortunate to have allowed only one home run. While Papelbon hasn't set the Fantasy world on fire so far this season, things could get a lot worse.

The decline in velocity is not dramatic and the sample of innings is small, so Papelbon could still rebound. However, his owners should monitor his progress over his next several appearances closely. If he doesn't start picking up his strikeout or groundball pace, it may be time for a sell-high on the veteran closer.

Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon earned his seventh save Sunday against the Diamondbacks. Papelbon, who had a five-out save Saturday night, came on in the 10th inning with a 4-2 lead.

He allowed a two-out double to Didi Gregorius, which brought the tying run to the plate. But the right-hander got Martin Prado to fly out to center field to secure the win.

Papelbon, who is 7 for 7 in save chances, has not allowed a run over his last 15 appearances.

Phillies pitcher Jonathan Papelbon might not be available for Sunday's series finale at Arizona after completing a five-out save in the win the previous night, MLB.com reports. Papelbon needed 29 pitches to complete his outing, just his third appearance since his last save May 3.

"I hate to do that," Manuel said Sunday. "I think that's the first time I've ever done that. Maybe I did it back in the day with Billy Wagner, but these guys are not prepared emotionally these days to pitch like that. ... He'll be all right."

Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon notched his sixth save of the season during Saturday's contest against the Diamondbacks.

Papelbon, who entered in the eighth inning for Antonio Bastardo, pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to secure a 3-1 win. He gave up two hits and struck out three and improved his ERA to 1.23 after converting his sixth save in as many chances.